Kern Sheriffs seize 40 lbs of meth, arrest 6

BAKERSFIELD — Kern County-based agencies seized more than 40 pounds of methamphetamine worth $1.36 million and arrested six suspects Tuesday in two separate incidents, according to a Kern County Sheriff Office press release.

BAKERSFIELD — Kern County-based agencies seized more than 40 pounds of methamphetamine worth $1.36 million and arrested six suspects Tuesday in two separate incidents, according to a Kern County Sheriff Office press release.

One operation — the result of a weeks-long investigation by the KCSO Major Violators Unit — resulted with "a traffic stop of three subjects suspected of being in possession of large amounts of methamphetamine," according to the press release.

KCSO, in coordination with three other agencies, stopped two vehicles traveling in 6900 block of Longford Court in Bakersfield.

Approximately 10 pounds of meth was found hidden in a diaper box in the back of one of the vehicles, according to KCSO.

The suspects — 45-year-old Pedro Ochoa-Monzon of Phoenix, Ariz., 32-year-old Cecil Hernandez of Avenal, and Elmar Ochoa-Hernandez, 23, of Los Angeles — have been booked at the Kern County Jail for possession of methamphetamine with the intent to sell, transportation of the drug and on conspiracy charges.

According to the Sheriff's Department, Ochoa-Hernandez and Hernandez have had immigration vouchers placed on them after "they were determined to be illegal aliens by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials."

The 10 pounds of meth seized is estimated at $363,200.

A second, unrelated bust conducted by the Kern County California Multi-Jurisdictional Methamphetamine Enforcement Team, resulted in the arrest of three suspects in the parking lot of a south Bakersfield restaurant Tuesday afternoon.

The arrest netted the seizure of 22 pounds of meth found wrapped up in dog food bags. The suspects — 47-year-old Milpitas resident Diego Solis, Sandro Solis, 38, of San Jose and 26-year- old Patricia Andrade of Porterville — were arrested and booked into Kern County Jail "for possession of methamphetamine for sales, transportation of methamphetamine, and conspiracy."

Sandro Solis has been slapped with an immigration detainer after the ICE determined him to be an illegal immigrant.

Investigators wrapped up the operation with a warrant search of a Porterville apartment by Cal-MET and participating agencies.

"The apartment was believed to be related to the drug trafficking operation," according to the press release. The search yielded the discovery of an active meth manufacture lab along with seven pounds of meth and eight gallons of methamphetamine solution. The solution could produce more meth for sale.

Investigators dismantled the lab without incident, according to KCSO.

Solis and Andrade face potential additional charges of manufacturing methamphetamine from the Kern County District Attorney's office.